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Dejagah targets return from injury

Fulham winger Ashkan Dejagah is hoping to be fit for the start of the new Premier League season.

The Iran international, who arrived at Craven Cottage from Wolfsburg in August 2012, has not played since suffering an ankle ligament injury against QPR on April 1.

However, Dejagah has undergone an operation to correct the problem and is now running again, with the 26-year-old targeting a return to fitness in time for the new campaign.

He told the club's official website: "I feel good. It has been nine weeks since my operation and I have started running.

"I am looking forward to starting training again soon and I have five or six weeks to work with the physios to get me in the best possible shape for pre-season games and the start of the Premier League."

Dejagah made 21 appearances for Martin Jol's side during his debut season for the club and admitted it was a big blow to suffer such a serious injury and miss the remainder of the campaign.

However, he is aiming to come back stronger and help his side improve on their 12th-placed finish last time out.

"It was the first time that I have suffered a big injury like that and it was frustrating as I was playing well," he added. "It would have been great to finish the season and help the team, but this is football and hopefully I can come back even stronger.

"I am very motivated because I want to build on last season. I really enjoyed playing in the Premier League and it was good for me to play. I hope I am ready for the first game and have enough time to work with the team before the start of the season. I look forward to playing a part in pre-season so I can be as fit as possible."

Dejagah was also forced to watch on as his country qualified for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and he said securing a place in the Iran squad for the tournament next year is high on his list of priorities.

"This season is a big one for me personally and for Fulham. I want to do everything I can to play well and then hopefully I can play for my country in Brazil next summer," he said.